Sometimes the journalism gods smile down upon me, and I get to write such a fun, cool piece it doesn’t feel like work at all. That has applied to many of the stories I’ve written while working full time at Budget Travel, but this freelance story was special.

When I saw the cover for the first time—specifically that gorgeous, confident woman pedaling to the beach while carrying a surfboard, telegraphing exactly that feeling of being free and untethered that embodies why we travel—my elation was indescribable. It wasn’t pride, per se, nor disbelief…just happiness. I hope you feel even a tenth of that while you’re reading the piece.